''River City Girls'' is a 2019
beat 'em up
The beat 'em up (also known as brawler and, in some markets, beat 'em all) is a video game genre featuring hand-to-hand combat against a large number of opponents. Traditional beat 'em ups take place in scrolling, two-dimensional (2D) levels, ...
video game developed by
WayForward
WayForward Technologies, Inc. is an American independent video game developer and publisher based in Valencia, California. Founded in March 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as t ...
, and published by
Arc System Works
, commonly referred to as ArcSys, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Kidooka in 1988, the company is known for arcade 2D fighting game franchises, including ''Guilty Gear'' and ''BlazBlue'', a ...
. A spin-off in the ''
Kunio-kun
The series (typically localized as ''River City'') is a video game series started by Technōs Japan. The series is now handled by Arc System Works who purchased all of the intellectual property rights from Technōs' successor, Million Corp. The ...
'' franchise, the game stars Misako and Kyoko (originally appearing in ''
Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club: Soccer'' and ''
Kunio-tachi no Banka'' respectively) who fight their way through enemies and obstacles to rescue their kidnapped boyfriends, series protagonists Kunio and Riki. The game was released for the
Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
,
PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013 in ...
,
Xbox One
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third base console in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was first released in North America, parts of ...
and
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...
in September 2019, and for
Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming platform developed and operated by Amazon. Luna was announced on September 24, 2020, with early access available to subscribers by invitation beginning on October 20, 2020. In its early access state, Amazon Luna ...
in October 2020. A
PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, it was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Ame ...
version was released on January 18, 2022.
''Shin Nekketsu Kōha: Kunio-tachi no Banka'' (1994), where Misako and Kyoko previously appeared, was localized by WayForward as a prequel, ''
River City Girls Zero'', being released for the
Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
on February 14, 2022. A sequel, titled ''River City Girls 2'', was released by WayForward and Arc System Works that same year, on December 1 in Japan and Asia and on December 15 in the US.
Gameplay
''River City Girls'' is a beat 'em up brawler. The player can choose between Kyoko or Misako, who play similarly but have unique moves and animations. Two players can play a local cooperative mode with both. Waves of enemies and occasional bosses are out to oppose the chosen character(s). The player progresses through six areas in a linear manner similar to ''
Shodai Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun
The series (typically localized as ''River City'') is a video game series started by Technōs Japan. The series is now handled by Arc System Works who purchased all of the intellectual property rights from Technōs' successor, Million Corp. The ...
'' and ''Shin Nekketsu Kōha: Kunio-tachi no Banka''. Like ''
River City Ransom
''River City Ransom'', later released as ''Street Gangs'' in the PAL regions, is an open world action role-playing beat 'em up video game originally for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was developed by Technōs Japan and originally relea ...
'', the player is free to return to previous areas, but they must complete certain battles and objectives to go to the new locations in their current area. In many areas where combat is initiated the first time, chains and a lock will surround the edges of the screen. At this point, the player will be unable to leave the area until all enemies are defeated. There are six bosses in the game; to be able to advance to the next area, the player must defeat the boss of the current area.
Defeated enemies drop money for the player to collect, just as in ''River City Ransom''. Money can be spent at various shops to purchase items, food, and gear to increase
stats STATS may refer to:
* Statistical Assessment Service
* STATS LLC, a former name of Stats Perform
Stats Perform (formerly STATS, LLC and STATS, Inc.) is a sports data and analytics company formed through the combination of Stats and Perform.
T ...
. Money can also be used to purchase new fighting moves from the Dojo to complement the starting basic set. Abilities are all simple to perform, being a direction + a button; complexity for advanced players lies in chaining the simple moves together into long
combos
Combos, officially called Combos Stuffed Snacks, are cylindrical tubes of cracker, pretzel, or tortilla, available with various fillings.
History
Combos Snacks, created in the early 1980s, are a snack food distributed by Mars, Incorporated, and ...
.
['BARF!': Designing River City Girls' approachable, challenging brawling](_blank)
/ref> Characters also gain experience point
An experience point (often abbreviated as exp or XP) is a unit of measurement used in some tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's life experience and progression through the game. Experi ...
s and level-ups from defeating enemies, as in ''River City Ransom: Underground''. Completion of quests grant experience and money rewards to both characters, ensuring that the one that the player is not using in a single player game does not fall behind in levels or money. As bosses are defeated in the game, enemies become stronger. Upon defeating the final enemy in an area, they might surrender. The player can choose to either defeat the enemy as normal, or to recruit them. Recruited enemies can be summoned to assist the player, although only one recruit is kept at a time. The player can pick up various objects during the game and use them as improvised weapons, but they will break after being used multiple times.
If the player loses all their stamina bar and is defeated (or both characters defeated in multiplayer), the player must restart the current room and lose a portion of their cash on hand, but their health is fully restored. In multiplayer, if only one character is knocked out, it is possible for the other player to revive them by standing over their fallen body and repeatedly kicking their departing soul back into it. An angel leaving the character's body acts as a timer so that the other player can perform the revival as fast as possible.
Once introduced, ''Kunio-kun'' character Godai will offer players numerous side quests. There are also various NPCs that the player can interact with. After completing the game once, the player will unlock Kunio and Riki as playable characters.
Plot
Misako (voiced by Kayli Mills
Kayli Mills (born December 10, 1994) is an American actress who voices for English versions of anime and Japanese video games. Some of her major roles include Emilia in '' Re:Zero'', Akira Kazama in ''Street Fighter V'', Alice Zuberg in ''Sword A ...
) is in detention at River City High, accompanied by her best friend Kyoko (Kira Buckland
Kira Buckland (born July 16, 1987) is an American voice actress, who has provided voices for English dubbed Japanese anime, cartoons, and video games. Some of her major roles are Jolyne Cujoh in '' JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean,'' 2B in ...
). She receives an alarming message on her phone: a picture of Kunio (Greg Chun
Greg Chun is an American voice actor and musician who is known for his work in English-dubbed anime and video games.
Personal life
Chun is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Stanford University and has found himself in a dilemma in ...
) and Riki (Kaiji Tang
Kaiji Tang (pronounced "Kai-jee"; born January 25, 1984) is a Chinese voice actor who is based in Los Angeles.
Biography
Tang was born in Shanghai, China on January 25, 1984. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a deg ...
), the heroes of River City High and their boyfriends, seemingly being kidnapped. Kyoko and Misako decide to spring into action to rescue their boyfriends. The pair rampages across the city, attacking any suspicious person they find while seeking answers.
Development
''River City Girls'' is the first collaboration between Arc System Works
, commonly referred to as ArcSys, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Kidooka in 1988, the company is known for arcade 2D fighting game franchises, including ''Guilty Gear'' and ''BlazBlue'', a ...
and WayForward
WayForward Technologies, Inc. is an American independent video game developer and publisher based in Valencia, California. Founded in March 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as t ...
, and the second time that WayForward works on an intellectual property that previously belonged to Technōs Japan Corp, having previously worked on ''Double Dragon Neon
''Double Dragon Neon'' is a 2012 beat 'em up video game in the ''Double Dragon'' series. It was developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Majesco Entertainment, and is a reboot of the ''Double Dragon'' series. It was the first game i ...
''. The game was in development for nearly three years, but was only announced in 2019-04-19 (2019-04-24 by Arc System Works).
''River City Girls'' was directed by Adam Tierney and Bannon Rudis, the latter of whom had previously worked on '' River City Ransom: Underground''. Tierney approached Rudis with the idea to co-direct a new entry in the ''Kunio-kun
The series (typically localized as ''River City'') is a video game series started by Technōs Japan. The series is now handled by Arc System Works who purchased all of the intellectual property rights from Technōs' successor, Million Corp. The ...
'' series and take the game in a new "goofy, zany direction".[River City Girls Wants to "Beat You Over the Head" With Character (USGamer)](_blank)
/ref> Once Rudis saw what Tierney had done, he agreed to work on the game. The goal was to create a ''River City Ransom
''River City Ransom'', later released as ''Street Gangs'' in the PAL regions, is an open world action role-playing beat 'em up video game originally for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was developed by Technōs Japan and originally relea ...
'' game in the style of ''Shantae
''Shantae'' is a series of platform games developed by WayForward. The Shantae (character), eponymous heroine of the series, a half-genie, was created by Erin Bozon, while the games were created from this character by her husband Matt Bozon. The ...
'' (WayForward's flagship series), more expressive and larger in presentation than previous games in the ''Kunio-kun'' franchise. The aim of the game was to exude style, with each character having their own unique moves that would accentuate their personalities. As assistant director, Rudis tried to make the game's fighting mechanics as close to an Arc System Works fighting game as possible while minimizing the play controls and inputs to make the game have more in common with the ''Super Smash Bros.
''Super Smash Bros.'' is a Crossover (fiction), crossover fighting game series published by Nintendo. The series was created by Masahiro Sakurai, who has directed every game in the series. The series is known for its unique gameplay objectiv ...
'' games or ''Dragon Ball FighterZ
''Dragon Ball FighterZ'' (pronounced "fighters") is a 2.5D fighting game, developed by Arc System Works and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Based on the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, it was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Micr ...
''. Rudis worked the game's lead animator Kay Yu to decide how each attack should look like. The game was conceived with pixel art to connect it to previous games in the franchise. Rudis and Tierney focused on atmosphere with locations that feel "completely immersive" for the player to focus on the story.
A director at WayForward introduced Tierney to '' Shin Nekketsu Kōha: Kunio-tachi no Banka'', during development and he instantly loved both Kyōko and Misako, the two playable female characters in the game. WayForward wanted these two characters to take the lead role as they have already created games with strong female protagonists. During development, Tierney learned from Arc System Works that Kyōko and Misako were no longer acting as the girlfriends for the main protagonists of the franchise, Kunio and Riki. Riki had been with Mami longer than Kyōko (she was Riki's girlfriend in only two games) while Hasebe is often linked with Kunio (though she is only his love interest in ''Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki da yo Zen'in Shūgō!''). This led to discussions of creating a rivalry between the girls for the game's plot. Although ''River City Girls'' is billed as a canonical game in the ''Kunio-kun'' franchise,[Destructoid article, We chatted with WayForward about River City Girls' ass-kicking heroines and the Kunio-kun legacy (Destructoid)](_blank)
/ref> the game does not follow the continuity started with ''Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun Special'', and it also ignores and contradicts old continuity from previous games in the franchise.
Most of the game's staff was new, mostly regarding art, music, and animation. Composer "Chipzel" did most of the boss battle music and arranged the boss theme from the original ''River City Ransom''. Megan McDuffee composed the tracks for the stages, cinematics, menus, and nearly everything else; some of McDuffee's pieces include vocal tracks she sung.[Behind the Music of River City Girls: An Interview with Megan McDuffee](_blank)
/ref> McDuffee also arranged music from ''River City Ransom'' and ''Kunio-tachi no Banka''. NateWantsToBattle and Dale North also contributed to the soundtrack, such as in the opening and ending songs. Priscilla "Rem" Hamby, the illustrator of the webcomic
Webcomics (also known as online comics or Internet comics) are comics published on a website or mobile app. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers, or comic books.
Webcomics can be co ...
''Devil's Candy'', was sought out to re-imagine the ''Kunio-kun'' characters. Hamby also illustrated the cutscenes. Cristina Vee
Cristina Danielle Valenzuela (born July 11, 1987), known by her stage name Cristina Vee, is an American voice actress and voice director. She provides voices for English dubs of anime, animation, and video games.
Vee's roles in anime include L ...
directed the voice actors as well as participated in the soundtrack. WayForward VFX artist Jordan Vine animated the sequences while Kevin Samuels from WayForward's SFX department added sound effects.
Release
''River City Girls'' was released in September 2019, generally over digital distribution channels such as the Nintendo eShop
The Nintendo eShop is a digital distribution service powered by the Nintendo Network for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, and by a dedicated online infrastructure for the Nintendo Switch. Launched in June 2011 on the Nintendo 3DS, the eShop was en ...
, PlayStation Network
PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital media entertainment service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Launched in November 2006, PSN was originally conceived for the PlayStation video game consoles, but soon extended to encompass smartp ...
(PSN), Xbox Games Store
Xbox Games Store (formerly Xbox Live Marketplace) is a digital distribution platform used by Microsoft's Xbox Series X, S, Xbox One and Xbox 360 video game consoles. The service allows users to download or purchase video games (including both ...
, Steam
Steam is a substance containing water in the gas phase, and sometimes also an aerosol of liquid water droplets, or air. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization ...
, and GOG.com
GOG.com (formerly Good Old Games) is a digital distribution platform for video games and films. It is operated by GOG sp. z o.o., a wholly owned subsidiary of CD Projekt based in Warsaw, Poland. GOG.com delivers DRM-free video games through it ...
.
Limited Run Games
Limited Run Games, Inc. is an American video game distributor based in Apex, North Carolina. The company specializes in the release of digital games on physical media, with the games being sold on their website. The company, founded by Douglas ...
released physical editions of the game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, which also includes a Collector's Edition that included several add-ons. They can be ordered via Limited Run Games until 2019-09-27.
Following criticisms, WayForward altered the game's secret ending via a post-launch update in January 2020. The game was later released for Amazon's Luna streaming service on October 20 the same year. A version for PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, it was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Ame ...
was released in January 2022.
Sequels
production of sequel ''River City Girls 2'' was announced in 2021-06-14 (2021-06-15 by Arc System Works). In addition, ''Kunio-tachi no Banka'' was localized in 2022 as '' River City Girls Zero''.
Reception
''River City Girls'' received "generally favorable" reviews from critics and a score of 79 according to review aggregator Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
, based on 16 reviews for the PlayStation 4 version and 12 reviews for the Nintendo Switch version. Reviewers generally praised the game's art style, graphics, and sense of humor.[Review: River City Girls](_blank)
Destructoid[River City Girls Review](_blank)
USGamer The soundtrack was called out for special praise.RIVER CITY GIRLS (PS4) REVIEW – FIGHT LIKE A GIRL
/ref> The game's inventive bosses were considered a strength, and the two-player co-operative mode was praised as well.[River City Girls Review](_blank)
- RPGamer Some of the more ambivalent reviewers felt that the beat 'em up action was ultimately a tad repetitive; others pointed out that the RPG elements such as equipping accessories were often so minor as to be ignorable. The original ending to the game was also called out as "unsatisfying".
Notes
References
External links
*
*Arc System Works page
Japanese
Korean
China
Taiwan
Limited Run Games page
{{DEFAULTSORT:River City Girls
2019 video games
Arc System Works games
High school-themed video games
Kunio-kun
Nintendo Switch games
PlayStation 4 games
PlayStation 5 games
Side-scrolling beat 'em ups
Video game spin-offs
Video games developed in Japan
Video games developed in the United States
Video games featuring female protagonists
Video games scored by Niamh Houston
Wayforward games
Windows games
Xbox Cloud Gaming games
Xbox One games
Multiplayer and single-player video games